Why not get creative ...
... through the subassembly.
Treat variants differently than you did before. The product configuration tool or is the pivot point of ABS®. It supports a standardized working style that reaches into all functional areas of your company. The treatment of variants is connected with this work. It builds on a hierarchical part category concept, which allows the passing on of attributes into subordinate part categories and parts. You automatically generate parts lists and production schedules of product variants across all production phases, derive new information from existing parts independently of the know-how of individual employees, reduce the variety of parts and improve your internal standardization. In short: you let ABS® work for you.
Effective Variant Management
With the product configuration tool, ABS® contains an expert system which is able to generate products and business processes according to specific characteristics. The aim of the product configuration tool is the specification of order related variants by means of attributes.
Company-wide Illustration and Transfer of Expert Knowledge
By arranging products and their attributes in logical structures, ABS® preserves the knowledge gained by the company over many years – independently of individuals.
The definition of part categories is done with the ABS® attribute concept. Formulas, rules, and tables in accordance with specific attributes define product variants. The term ‘specific attribute’ describes a product more or less completely. ABS® differentiates between technological attributes and equipment attributes, which can be defined at varying degrees. ABS® is capable of storing an unlimited number of attributes.
The degree of an attribute is defined by the user with a constant value or with formulas that refer to other attributes. Another option is to use rules that define logical conditions for the assignment of a particular value.
An Easy-to-Use Tool
Product variants are thus determined quickly and easily through existing attributes and do not need to be re-recorded. This concludes, that you do not necessarily have to create a new item master for a new variant.
The expert system thus represents a source of knowledge accessible to all areas of the company and guarantees consistent and uniform work in all areas. The product configuration tool is the basis for all business transactions.
In Sales...
...the product configuration tool generates parameter values and descriptive texts in accordance with degrees of attributes and it calculates prices. Optionally, a sales parts list can be generated through the product configuration tool.
For a detailed calculation...
...the product configuration tool generates quotes and order parts lists and routings which serve as a basis for calculation.
For production / planning...
...the product configuration tool generates complete order parts lists and routings, which are the basis for planning and scheduling.
The variant- and inventory management concept of ABS® demands an order-related bill of material for each production order. It documents the actually used components for every production lot of parts. The creation of order parts lists is based on master parts lists. ABS® consistently uses the fact that the parameter values of a part influences its parts list structure. According to the degree of the variant, ABS® generates the resulting order parts lists.
The identification of a product variant occurs through the degree of attribute, which in fact generates the order structure. Spare parts lists can be inferred directly from the order structure.
Minimization of Maintenance Efforts
As a matter of course, variant parts can also be generated via attribute rules from a maximum parts list. In this maximum parts list, all possible variant parts are listed and their selection is accomplished through an attribute-relevant formula. However, the workload of a maximum parts list can be avoided when, instead of a component form the maximum parts list, only a parts list position with the relevant attributes is recorded. This “wild card” serves as an exchangeable part category.
When generating the order parts list, the system assigns the degree of attribute of the order to the “wild card” and selects the item master according to the part that has this degree of attribute. The “wild card” is replaced by the appropriate part. If no matching part is found in the item master, the “wild card” remains as an order-specific part with its own attributes for this particular order.
In ABS®, routings are created in a similar fashion as parts lists, because here as well there is usually a straight correlation between parameter value and routing.
Complex systems and products are usually already specifically described and defined in the quote and in the order. From these parameter values, ABS® generates the characteristics of the order and infers the sales parts list. Even products with a high degree of complexity can be described at any desired level of detail.
Standardization
The question of whether a part with specific attributes is already available or whether it has to be setup, with all the associated expenditures, is quickly and comfortably answered by ABS®: After entering the specifications for the desired attributes, a list appears of all parts that satisfy the selection criteria.
In addition, standards sheets can be called up on the screen or printed at any time. Standards sheets clearly illustrate all parts of a subassembly with their attributes and attribute values.
Since available parts or parts categories can be identified at a glance and do not have to be generated again, ABS® works completely redundancy-free. The number of item masters remains low, the maintenance effort is minimized.
With regard to a structured standardization, ABS® also enables you to match attributes within part identifiers, drawing numbers and parts typing.
Mass update of parts
ABS® allows mass updates of parts in parts lists. With just one entry, ABS® exchanges the old part for a new one in all affected parts lists. The user does not need to change the part in several parts lists. Another significant advantage besides the time saving: a consistently correct data base across the entire company is guaranteed. The date of conversion to an exchanged part can be chosen freely.